The European Vocational Skills Week, being held between 14 and 18 October, is an annual initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Centred around 2019 theme 'VET for all - Skills for Life', VET gives learners more choice for career options than ever.
Julian Mallia (aka Julinu) is a visual artist specialising in conceptual illustration, fine art painting and graphic design. After graduating in psychology, he decided to shift to what he loved doing most - his passion for drawing, painting and graphic art.
Julian has been selected as VET Ambassador by the European Commission to share his inspiring career and encourage people of all ages to look out for the range of career options and vocational courses available today in Malta. He will be joining a group of Ambassadors from EU Member States this week to attend the 4th European Vocational Skills Week in Helsinki.
The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke to Julian to find out why and how VET has helped him to make the most of his talents.
How did you get into VET?
While I was reading for a degree in psychology from the University of Malta, I was also active in other creative endeavours such as drawing, painting and graphic design jobs for a small number of clients. I somehow knew that I would eventually gravitate toward a creative career but, out of genuine interest in psychology and a lack of faith that I can make a living through art, I pursued my academic studies till the end. However, after I graduated in 2006, I realised that I could a) either pursue a conventional career as a psychologist and relegate art to an after-work-hobby status or b) make a deliberate choice to focus on what really gives me a fulfilling sense of purpose. So I checked out the courses offered by MCAST Institute of Art and Design (now renamed to Institute of Creative Arts) and eventually enrolled into the graphic design course.
Why was that your choice?
Being innately talented is only the starting point. In reality any area of expertise requires training, experience and self-drive in order to get to a level where you can offer a professional service. While you can learn a lot on your own, being part of an institution provides a much more effective educational context eg. by having access to knowledgeable and experienced tutors, a structured curriculum, resources and enthusiastic peers. I felt that the most efficient way by which I could maximise my potential was for me to immerse myself in this field - so I started with Vocational Education and Training (VET).
What has that choice meant for you?
For me, it was an opportunity to readjust the trajectory my life was taking. I don't regret having read for a university degree before getting into VET - in fact I believe that the accumulation of a unique set of skills can set you apart in any profession.
This choice also made me aware that I don't need to settle for the more obvious career choices but that I can also choose to design a career path that works for me. Steve Jobs once said that you can only join the dots looking backwards. I am sure that I would not have been able to achieve certain milestones in my creative career if I had chosen a conventional career-path rather than one that aligns with my skills and ambition.
How can others learn from your experience?
Every person is on a different journey so what works for me might not necessarily work for everyone. However, I think that it makes sense to be honest with oneself and to be ready to ask what it is that you really want to do with your life. Career choices tend to be presented as rigid categories but in reality, not everyone fits neatly within those categories. We are all unique individuals with a unique combination of skills, personality traits and goals. So, it makes sense to look around and consider all forms of education and see where they can lead to on a professional level.
How does society benefit from VET?
Within an ever-changing work environment, it makes more sense to invest in skills and continuous re-learning. Gone are the days where you'd work for 20 years within the same company doing exactly the same thing, over and over again. So it makes more sense to find an area of expertise that interests you and inspires you to keep on learning. It's more likely to make you employable / relevant in the current and in future workplaces.
Additionally, I think that intrinsically motivated workers tend to be more productive - which has clear economic benefits.
How could Europe benefit from VET?
VET institutions tend to be more in touch with what industries currently need and what they might require in the future - thus narrowing the gap between industry and education. This can lead to better-skilled workers, making Europe more competitive on a global level in a range of useful professions.
Julinu's work can be viewed on www.julinu.com